New York Wine

Though the first successful North American wine production is often credited to California, New York is where the industry was first pioneered in the United States. The Dutch and Huguenot settlers were the first to cultivate wine grapes in the 16th century. The oldest continuously operating winery, the Brotherhood Winery (which produces strictly sacramental wines, which is how they got around the Prohibition), first known as Jacques Brothers, was established in 1837. The country’s first bonded winery, the Pleasant Valley Wine Company (also known as the Great Western Wine Company), was established in the 1860s in Steuben County.

For a long time, New York wines languished behind the high reputations of its west coast rivals. Most of the wines produced were labrusca varieties such as Concord, Diamond and Baco Noir, mostly in sweet styles that were embraced by certain drinkers, but ignored by much of the “serious” wine community. In the 1950s, Dr. Konstantin Frank immigrated Read more »

Though the first successful North American wine production is often credited to California, New York is where the industry was first pioneered in the United States. The Dutch and Huguenot settlers were the first to cultivate wine grapes in the 16th century. The oldest continuously operating winery, the Brotherhood Winery (which produces strictly sacramental wines, which is how they got around the Prohibition), first known as Jacques Brothers, was established in 1837. The country’s first bonded winery, the Pleasant Valley Wine Company (also known as the Great Western Wine Company), was established in the 1860s in Steuben County.

For a long time, New York wines languished behind the high reputations of its west coast rivals. Most of the wines produced were labrusca varieties such as Concord, Diamond and Baco Noir, mostly in sweet styles that were embraced by certain drinkers, but ignored by much of the “serious” wine community. In the 1950s, Dr. Konstantin Frank immigrated from the Ukraine to work at Cornell University’s Geneva Experiment, where he continued his studies of vinifera grapes. Recognizing certain regions for their excellent growing conditions, he was determined to kindle the passion for European varietals in New York state. In 1962, he established Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Cellars in the Finger Lakes. His Rieslings in particular (he also planted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Cabernet Sauvignon among others) were well received. In 1976, the New York Farm Winery Act was enacted to assist wine-makers in their farming prospects, and encourage quality production. By the 1980s and 90s, more and more vintners became interested in the state’s various terroirs and microclimates, producing wines from grapes best suited to the conditions, and continuing to experiment with local yeasts and modern methods.

Today, New York state has a thriving wine industry, with award-winning wines from many of its regions. Modern vintners are practicing sustainable methods and looking toward less predictable grapes and blends for their wines to create uniquely New York representations. California? Bordeaux? Fuhgeddaboudit, this is New York, baby!

New York wineries and craft distilleries are saying “Cheers!” to a new law signed yesterday by New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.
According to a statement released by the governor's office, the new law will “cut burdensome requirements placed on produ...

The Styrofoam ban in New York City has gone into effect. Polystyrene foam is not recyclable; and so the Mayor has declared its use illegal. This is good news not only for the environment, but for wine drinkers as well.

Beat the heat with the pale princess.
That's the advice of Eric Asimov, the New York Times wine columnist who this past Thursday gave readers a list of must-try Rosés as the year’s hottest months approach.

It's time to catch up on your wine reading.
The New York Times released its “The Best Wine Books of 2014” list yesterday, providing wine enthusiasts with an interesting collection of tomes to tide them over through the holidays.

This past Tuesday the tiny island of Malta surged its way to the headlines of the New York Times' food section, scoring recognition for its little-known wines and proving the country is more than just the title of a Humphrey Bogart film.

New York-based Wally's Wine Auction's recently released the results of its two-part Roy Welland Collection auction, which took place at the auction house's New York location and Los Angeles location this past September and November, respectively.

A team of wineries in northern New York's emerging Finger Lakes wine region are standing up against plans to build a gas storage facility in Finger Lakes area.
According to New York news publication Capital, 12 wineries have formed the Finger Lakes Wi...

The Frencher, the better, say Texan wine drinkers.
This past Tuesday, Business Insider reporter April Walloga explored the results of a recent survey in which Americans across the country answered questions about their wine buying habits.

I drank this with a splash of Ciroc Red Berry. Wonderful sparkling Riesling, but I liked the Korbel just a bit better because it is dryer. I had a second bottle of this and came back to change my review a bit, I guess I was more in the mood for somethi...

Marinated cooked shrimp or Escabeche is originally from Spain. In this updated version, the shrimp marinade is prepared with pickling spice and rice vinegar. Colorful mango, poblano chiles and radi... Read more »

Alvina Mangrai’s Burmese prawn curry was the recipe featured in our first ever Cooking with Grandma video . In the video, Alvina shows her granddaughter Alyssa how to make the curry that she first ... Read more »

The wine is a beautiful deep ruby in the glass, a classic Cabernet color. The nose is a pleasant combination of oak, black licorice and baking spice. The taste is a nice burst of jammy fruit, blackberry, plum and cassis that transitions nicely to some oak and floral notes midpalate. The tannins are young but nicely structured for a nice warm,...
Read More

Wine review
by
jtryka

July 2015

Nice pics. Regarding the temps, I think part of the problem is that your ... ... might be say, 67 F. In New York City, in mid winter, people keep their apartments at 78F. It's extremely uncomfortable for me. In the winter, I used to keep my house in the 60s because I get hot fairly quickly. The point is that's quite a range for "room temperat...
Read More

Nice rant D!The other thing to keep in mind is that it truly is possible to ... ... Africa, Austria/Hungary, New York, Michigan, Spain, Argentina, and I'm going to see about Mexico in the near future.The problem is that it can't make great or even good wine in EVERY part of those regions.And I'm 100 pct with you on the trendies. But isn't it a...
Read More

Love the white cat wine I recently tried while i was visiting NY, would love to buy it on line if I could.
Read More

Wine review
by
teresa hutchens

July 2015

An interesting-looking event in NYC. Wasn't aware Bonné had migrated ... these days, relocating to New York after 15 years on the West Coast, and balancing his diverse assignments as the San Francisco Chronicle's contributing wine editor, senior contributing editor for Punch, and the U.S. columnist for Decanter magazine.His years of research, t...
Read More

Don't forget the great collection of wines from the North Country! Thousand Islands, Coyote Moon, River Mist, Yellow Barn, Bella-Brook, Otter Creek and Tug Hill are just some of the wineries popping up here.

Comment
by
1808222KJSpirits1808222

Feb 17

I found this press release very informative as it provides very essential information regarding wine industry. I have also found different wines flavors in a very famous restaurant of New York city namely Jacksny.

Comment
by
1806758Snoother 18067581806758

Sep 27, 2013

Hi New York State wine drinkers. I'm doing a Master's thesis project about wine preference and consumption in New York. If you can spare 5 minutes, please take this brief and anonymous survey to help me with my research. Thanks so much!
https://sbu.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_86cVmvPjljzFydv

good press release! I found an article which explain also where buy good rosé in New York!
http://www.frenchcultureguide.com/07/798/

Comment
by
1110909sophiecapucine1110909

Jun 11, 2012

good press release! I found an article which explain also where buy good rosé in New York!
http://www.frenchcultureguide.com/07/798/

Comment
by
1110909sophiecapucine1110909

Nov 17, 2010

The Lake Ontario Wine Trail is new and developing with six wineries: Casa Larga, Ashley Lynn, Mayers Lake Ontario, J.D.Winer Cellars, Young Summer and Thorpe. Some very nice wines being produced from them and a fun day of tasting.

Comment
by
315263Jaturan315263

Jan 10, 2010

You must rent a limo and tour Seneca lake. Go through a company that knows the wineries well. There are too many to stop at all and there are some real gems in the mix. Rieslings are the traditional highlight, but other types competes for attention, too! The Gewurztraminer is excellent.

Comment
by
350983garfield715350983

May 12, 2009

Philip: I received the same shipment (from the same person ;)) and will be tasting them myself. Looking forward to your impressions.

Comment
by
28312LennThompson28312

May 12, 2009

Snooth just received a big shipment of Finger Lakes Rieslings, we'll be tasting them over the next week or so - stay tuned for reviews